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NEW Classic Stars Lead Fasig-Tipton First-Croppers
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
A first glimpse of the yearling progeny by two American Classic winners will add intrigue to Fasig-Tipton's The July Sale on July 14, where buyers will assess forward members of the 2025 foal crop. According to bloodhorse.com, Kentucky Derby winner Mage (see below) and Belmont Stakes hero Arcangelo are among the debut sires represented, with consignors reporting encouraging physical traits and interest. Airdrie Stud will offer Hip 55, a grey or roan Mage colt out of stakes-placed French Politics, whose produce record includes stakes winner Hurricane Nelson and two further stakes performers. The family also features champion sprinter Orientate and Gr1 Oak Leaf Stakes winner Dream Team. Airdrie president Bret Jones believes the colt was an obvious choice to introduce Mage's yearlings to the market, describing him as balanced, sound and strongly reminiscent of his sire. Mage, a son of Good Magic who stood the latest season for $15,000, has left Jones impressed across the crop. He said the youngsters consistently display substance, balance and powerful hindquarters, along with the calm disposition that enabled Mage to deliver his finest performance before a Kentucky Derby crowd of 150,000. Jones considers the crop exceptional based on those raised at Airdrie and inspected elsewhere, and believes the stallion can make a significant impact through the yearling season. Similar assessments have come from C & S Thoroughbreds and Warrendale Sales, whose Mage offerings have been described as big, strong individuals carrying the pronounced hips and shoulders associated with their sire. C & S presents Hip 132, a chestnut filly from the family of champion older mare Close Hatches and dual champion Idiomatic. Sarah Estrada said the filly was well suited to the auction and noted a growing buzz around Mage's first yearlings. Warrendale's Hip 223 is a chestnut colt out of the Cupid mare Winter Love, whose dam Street Love is a full sister to Gr1 King's Bishop Stakes winner Capo Bastone. The colt's two-year-old half-sister Ruby Express finished third on debut at Lone Star Park in June, while Warrendale's Hunter Simms highlighted Hip 223's imposing hip and shoulder. Simms also recalled that Mage foals sold well in November and expects that reception to carry into the yearling market. Arcangelo, the Arrogate colt crowned champion three-year-old after winning the Belmont and Gr1 Travers Stakes, has two representatives catalogued. C & S offers Hip 121, a grey or roan filly out of Indian Charlie mare Morea and a half-sister to graded-placed stakes winner Half Is Enough. Estrada described her as a lovely individual who possesses the maturity required for July, despite expecting some Arcangelo progeny to benefit from additional time. Taylor Made Sales Agency, acting for DJ Stable, consigns Hip 81, a grey or roan filly from Bernardini mare Ice Cream, already the dam of stakes-placed Braums Run. Her extended pedigree includes stakes winners Value Engineering and Catrageous, along with graded winner High Velocity, giving depth to Arcangelo's opening auction representation after standing at Lane's End for US $30,000.
NEW Magical Sequence Extends Winning Run
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
A successful return from a spell strengthened an already impressive record when Magical Sequence completed a winning hat-trick for Karnup trainer Jason Miller and a syndicate managed by his wife Sarah in Saturday's Mrs Mac's Handicap over 1200m at Belmont. Bred by Mogumber Park, the four-year-old daughter of Rommel had closed her previous campaign with consecutive Ascot victories in February and resumed with enough determination to defeat Atlantic Spirit by half a length, with Zourun Run filling third place. According to a report by tbwa.net.au, Willie Pike secured an economical position from the inside barrier before presenting the mare at the right stage, helping her register a sixth success from only 11 appearances and suggesting further improvement could emerge during her second winter preparation. Purchased by the Millers for $77,500 from Mogumber Park's draft at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Magical Sequence has now earned her large ownership group more than $200,000, including approximately $70,000 through Westspeed bonuses. Stable representative Jordie Rolfe said the result had delighted connections, many of whom were holidaying in Coral Bay, and revealed their confidence had been particularly strong before the race. "They've always had confidence in her ability and were alarmingly confident when we spoke this morning," he said. Pike had also been encouraged by Magical Sequence's trial performance and her increasingly professional approach, despite some nervous behaviour before the start. "She was edgy in the barriers but was tractable and it felt like the race was scripted perfectly when the runs came every time." Brayden Gaerth partnered the mare for her maiden victory at Pinjarra in June 2025 before Pike assumed riding duties. Magical Sequence is out of the Ascot winner Jinsky Magic, an Ihtiram mare who has produced four winners from four runners, and was bred by Mogumber Park principals Colin Brown and Fiona Lacey. The same operation also bred Rommel's RL Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Maria Lucia. A son of Commands, Rommel stands alongside Deep Field stallion Aysar at Ridgeport Farm, with both advertised at $6,600 including GST.
Maher Makes Multimillion-Dollar Cox Plate Play
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
A maiden winner carrying a price tag approaching $6 million will be given the chance to justify one of Australian racing's most striking recent investments when A Boy Named Susie is aimed at the 2026 Cox Plate, reports racenet.com.au. Ciaron Maher Racing has reportedly secured the highly regarded European three-year-old for about €3 million, equivalent to approximately 4.92 million, with GST, insurance and transport costs expected to lift the overall outlay close to A6 million. The figure is particularly eye-catching given the Donnacha O'Brien-trained colt has won only once from eight starts, although his profile has been built through repeated clashes with some of Europe's strongest young horses. A Boy Named Susie has collected two Gr1 placings and another two at Gr3 level, most recently finishing runner-up to Constitution River in the Gr1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. Under the reported terms of the sale, O'Brien will continue preparing the colt through his Cox Plate campaign before Maher assumes responsibility for his training in Australia. Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's Qatar Racing operation is understood to have acquired about half the ownership, while the Maher stable is seeking buyers for the remaining shares. Bookmakers have already acknowledged the scale of the ambition, installing A Boy Named Susie at $15 in TAB's pre-nominations Cox Plate market, headed by former import Sir Delius at $3.50. The purchase follows a familiar modern route towards Australia's weight-for-age championship, which since Winx completed her four-race reign in 2018 has increasingly been captured by imported gallopers or international raiders. State Of Rest and Romantic Warrior travelled from abroad to win the race, while Maher's 2020 hero Sir Dragonet had been bought from Europe by an Australian ownership group. Previously raced by O'Brien's sister Ana, A Boy Named Susie will need to build an exceptional record to repay such a substantial investment. Even victory in the $6 million Cox Plate, which carries first prizemoney of $4 million, would not alone recover the reported purchase and associated costs. Australian buyers have paid even larger sums for elite mares, including Yulong's acquisitions of Barnavara and Alcohol Free for about $10 million each, but spending close to $6 million on a colt whose only success came in maiden company represents a bold declaration of faith in his untapped potential. O'Brien has never hidden his opinion of the horse, recently saying: "We've always held him in very high regard and we think he's a Group One horse." Success at Moonee Valley would also create another chapter for Ireland's most celebrated racing dynasty, giving Donnacha the opportunity to join his father Aidan and brother Joseph as Cox Plate-winning trainers.
Golden Eagle Upgrade Wins Waller Approval
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
Greater incentive to keep valuable colts on the racetrack has emerged as one of the most significant consequences of the Golden Eagle receiving Gr1 status, according to champion trainer Chris Waller. The $10 million contest, staged exclusively for four-year-olds, was elevated by the Asian Pattern Committee as part of an extensive revision of Australia's Black Type programme and now stands alone as the country's only Group 1 restricted to that age group. Waller believes the upgrade adds far more than prestige to an already lucrative race, arguing that its potential influence on bloodstock values could persuade owners to delay the retirement of well-bred entires. "Racing NSW have invested in prizemoney and it's not about the races being worth more money, it's the value it brings," he said. Waller estimated the commercial worth generated by a Group 1 victory could run into tens of millions of dollars and welcomed any development capable of keeping leading horses in training for longer. His own record in the Golden Eagle includes victory with Kolding in the inaugural running and another success last year through Autumn Glow, while Autumn Boy is likely to be aimed at the race later this spring. The colt has not appeared since finishing second in the Doncaster Mile and was scheduled to join several of Waller's headline gallopers in gentle 900m barrier trials at Randwick. Autumn Glow, Aeliana, Lady Shenandoah, Ohope Wins, Barnavara, Wootton Verni, Soul Of Spain and Soulcombe were also among the stable's trial representatives as preparations intensified for the approaching spring. Autumn Glow is expected to resume in the Gr1 Winx Stakes over 1400m, while Aeliana could be separated from her stablemate and begin her campaign in Melbourne, with the Gr1 Memsie Stakes among her options. Waller identified Lady Shenandoah as one of the horses to have matured most noticeably during her break after she recorded five placings from eight starts last season, including two at Gr1 level, and finished midfield in The Everest. Coolmore Classic winner Lazzura is slightly behind several companions and is likely to be restricted to sprinting assignments, while Royal Ascot placegetter Joliestar is due back in Australia before following a route modelled on Nature Strip's successful Everest preparation. Waller favours resuming Joliestar in The Shorts four weeks before The Everest, although he acknowledged Ka Ying Rising's imposing presence would temper expectations throughout the sprinting division. The Golden Eagle's elevation nevertheless supplies another major spring objective and may ensure Australia's best emerging entire four-year-olds remain in competition rather than disappearing prematurely into stud careers.
Angels Fury Earns Stakes Opportunity
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
A return to Caulfield offered the chance to erase a bitter first impression, and Angels Fury grasped it with an authoritative performance in Saturday's Sportsbet Race Previews Handicap over 1100m. The Ciaron Maher-trained two-year-old, sent out the $1.80 favourite under apprentice Jabez Johnstone, endured a wide passage without cover but still proved too strong, defeating Portinari by three-quarters of a length with Egyptian Dancer another three-and-a-quarter lengths away in third. According to racing.com, her victory completed a striking transformation from her debut at the same venue in January, when heavy support forced her price into $1.70 for the Gr3 Blue Diamond Preview only for her to trail home last behind subsequent Blue Diamond winner Streisand. There were legitimate excuses that day, with Angels Fury knuckling shortly after the start and later displaying mild shin soreness, but the result nevertheless came as a considerable disappointment to a stable that had regarded her highly from the outset. Maher resisted the temptation to press on, instead spelling the daughter of Harry Angel and allowing her time to strengthen physically and become more settled mentally. That patience began paying dividends when she returned at Bendigo on June 13 and comfortably dispatched a maiden field under Teo Nugent, while an impressive subsequent Cranbourne jump-out confirmed she had retained her improvement. Johnstone faced an awkward assignment from a wide barrier at Caulfield, settling three deep behind the speed established by Egyptian Dancer and Eilish, but Angels Fury travelled comfortably and swept to the lead near the 250m. Portinari, who received an economical run under Craig Williams, briefly threatened before the favourite responded and asserted her superiority. Maher's national assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the filly had always shown Black Type ability and believed the manner of her success justified hopes that she could progress beyond that level. "She's a lot more tractable now, she's got a huge action and a lovely way of going and she's got gears which will go a long way," he said. Turnbull added that the break had enabled Angels Fury to fill out and strengthen, while her combination of speed, soundness and an ability to relax gave the stable plenty to work with. Purchased by Astute Bloodstock for $270,000 from Bell River Thoroughbreds at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Angels Fury may return in a similar race within a fortnight or be saved for the Gr3 Quezette Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield on August 15.
Fownes Secures Fifth Hong Kong Crown
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
A season-long struggle for supremacy was finally settled at Sha Tin, reports scmp.com when Caspar Fownes established an unassailable advantage and secured the fifth Hong Kong trainers' championship of his career. Although one meeting remained at Happy Valley, Fownes ended Sunday five victories clear of Danny Shum, whose five runners across Wednesday's nine-race finale left him mathematically unable to draw level. Relief accompanied the satisfaction for a trainer who had been forced to fight throughout a tightly contested campaign, with Fownes paying tribute to the family members who sustained him through the pressure. "I'm very relieved and very happy. Lots of love to my family for pushing me for this fight. It's special. It means a lot to me," he said. Describing the contest as "hammer and tongs the whole way," Fownes was already looking towards the following season even as celebrations began. The championship provided the centrepiece of a Sha Tin finale rich in individual achievements, with Jerry Chau collecting his first Tony Cruz Award as Hong Kong's leading home-grown jockey. Chau finished with 48 victories, 10 ahead of Vincent Ho, and said the honour fulfilled an ambition he had pursued for six years, acknowledging his supporters and his fiancée for enabling him to concentrate fully on racing. Zac Purton added a ninth champion jockey title to his formidable record, reaching 143 winners after completing a treble aboard Double Bingo, Rising Phoenix and Packing Fighter. The meeting's feature, the Class 1 Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy over 1600m, went to the remarkable nine-year-old Beauty Joy, who produced a powerful late finish under Hugh Bowman to defeat Max Que by three-quarters of a length. Bowman remained patient after encountering traffic in the straight, easing across heels before balancing Beauty Joy in clear running and sweeping over his rivals. The veteran had previously defended his Gr3 Premier Plate title over 1800m and will continue racing next season, although trainer Tony Cruz indicated his campaign may extend through only part of the term. Brett Crawford celebrated a double through PI Legend and Beauty Missile, the former prevailing by a short head over Crossborderpegasus in the Class 3 Joy And Fun Handicap before Beauty Missile overcame barrier 14 to win the Class 5 Miraculous Handicap over 1800m. Alexis Badel settled the Smart Missile gelding near the rear before capitalising on the strong tempo and defeating Dragon Sunrise by one-and-three-quarter lengths. Pierre Ng also completed a running double with Green Angel and Prestige Always, but the final Sha Tin programme belonged principally to Fownes, whose fifth championship placed another emphatic marker beside a training career built upon consistency, resilience and enduring command of Hong Kong racing.

Trainer Caspar Fownes has won a fifth Hong Kong title (pic: hkjc.com)
Inglis Opens 2027 Yearling Entries
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
Breeders can now begin shaping their 2027 sales plans after Inglis opened entries for its four principal yearling auctions, offering a range of options across Sydney and Melbourne for vendors preparing next season's drafts. The programme will begin with the Classic Yearling Sale at Riverside Stables from February 7 to 9, followed by the Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands Junction from February 28 to March 2. The Easter Yearling Sale will return to Riverside on April 4 and 5, with the HTBA Yearling Sale completing the series at the same venue on April 22. Each auction caters to a different sector of the market, allowing breeders to place yearlings according to pedigree, physical development, commercial appeal and anticipated buyer demand. Inglis enters the new nomination period after a productive 2026 season in which strong competition across its live sales helped support healthy clearance levels, broad participation and substantial investment from both domestic and international buyers. The company reported that its yearlings averaged $166,443 across the season, while overall turnover from the live yearling programme reached $279,790,500. International purchasers contributed more than $50 million, underlining the continuing global appetite for Australian bloodstock and the importance of maintaining a diverse buying bench. Inglis Bloodstock chief executive Sebastian Hutch said attention had already turned towards working closely with breeders to identify the most suitable sale for each horse. "It's been fantastic seeing so many vendors enjoy incredible results in 2026 but now it's all about working with breeders on the 2027 sales and ensuring we do everything in our capacity to see more clients enjoy even better results in 2027," he said. Hutch also acknowledged the confidence breeders had placed in the company and stressed that careful placement remained central to achieving the best possible outcome for vendors. Classic and Premier continue to provide broad commercial markets for well-presented yearlings, while Easter retains its standing as Inglis's elite offering and HTBA gives vendors another pathway for horses suited to a later-season auction. With the nomination deadline set for August 14, breeders have several weeks to assess their drafts, consult Inglis representatives and determine where individual yearlings are most likely to attract the strongest interest when the 2027 selling season begins.
Thesecretadversary Delivers Stack Breakthrough
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
A bold tactical decision and an unwavering display of speed carried Thesecretadversary to victory over two Classic winners in the Gr1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville, delivering Fozzy Stack the first European top-level success of his training career, reports racingpost.com. Christophe Soumillon allowed the son of St Mark's Basilica to dictate from the outset when no other rider appeared willing to make the running, and the colt sustained his gallop along the stands' rail to defeat 1,000 Guineas heroine True Love by half a length. Nighttime finished third after reversing French 2,000 Guineas form with Rayif, who travelled strongly until the closing stages but weakened into fifth behind his stablemate Samangan. Thesecretadversary had already advertised his quality by winning the Gr3 Jersey Stakes over the straight seven furlongs at Royal Ascot, yet facing True Love and French Classic winner Rayif represented a searching examination of his standing among Europe's leading three-year-olds. Earlier defeats in the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas had not shaken Stack's faith, with the trainer believing the colt compromised his own prospects at Newmarket before being denied a clear passage at the Curragh. "We always felt he was a good horse," Stack said. "He showed it at Ascot under a penalty and he showed it again today." Regular rider Seamie Heffernan had played an important role in the colt's development and partnered him at Ascot, but a lengthy whip suspension prompted Stack to secure Soumillon for owners Cayton Park Stud and Sue Magnier. Concerns about a lack of early pace disappeared when the Belgian volunteered to lead, a move that proved decisive as Thesecretadversary travelled fluently and retained enough strength to resist True Love's rapid final-three-furlong split of fractionally more than 33 seconds. Victory also gave Soumillon his first Gr1 of the year and transformed Thesecretadversary's value as a future stallion, particularly given that recent Prix Jean Prat winners Too Darn Hot and Pinatubo subsequently began influential stud careers. Stack has known the family for generations, having trained the colt from his foal days after previously handling his grandmother Scream Blue Murder, a Listed winner at Nottingham and Gr3 winner at the Curragh under the late Pat Smullen. York's Gr1 City of York Stakes over seven furlongs is now a strong possibility, while the Haydock Sprint Cup remains another option after Soumillon and Heffernan independently indicated Thesecretadversary possesses the pace to return to six furlongs. His price for York was shortened sharply following Deauville, and the decision on his next assignment will be made with two ownership interests closely connected to the stallion industry.
Comanche Brave Captures July Cup
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
Another major prize was added to Billy Loughnane's rapidly expanding record when Comanche Brave swept past Japan's Satono Reve and held off Venetian Sun to win the Gr1 July Cup at Newmarket. According to sportinglife.com, the 20-year-old, who has surged to the front of Britain's Flat jockeys' championship, recorded his third Gr1 victory of the year as Donnacha O'Brien's colt improved sharply from his seventh in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Sent out at double-figure odds, Comanche Brave travelled smoothly behind Satono Reve as the Japanese sprinter established a demanding pace, giving Loughnane an ideal target through the central stages of the six-furlong contest. Satono Reve remained in command approaching the final furlong but began to weaken after his early exertions, allowing Comanche Brave to strike the front before resisting Venetian Sun's challenge by a length. Satono Reve stayed on for third in an 11-runner field, while Venetian Sun produced an encouraging performance on ground considered faster than ideal. Loughnane said the race unfolded almost perfectly and that his principal instruction had been to conserve Comanche Brave for as long as possible. "He travelled so sweetly, fast ground was perfect and I do think he could drop back in trip," he said. "I was taking back the whole way through and he's got a lot of gears, this horse. Hopefully the sky's the limit." The victory was the 11th at Gr1 level for O'Brien, who had been encouraged by Comanche Brave finishing only about two-and-a-half lengths behind Jubilee winner Almeraq despite occupying seventh place at Ascot. With limited separation among Europe's leading sprinters, the trainer saw little reason not to continue pursuing elite company after the colt had already won at Gr2 level. O'Brien also noted that previous horses had rebounded from defeat in the Jubilee to win the July Cup, a pattern that gave the stable confidence to proceed to Newmarket. Earlier on the programme, Charlie Appleby's Al Hudaiba overcame his own waywardness to defeat odds-on favourite Abraham Lincoln by a nose in the Gr2 Superlative Stakes. William Buick had to reorganise the colt after he drifted sharply in the final furlong, with Appleby acknowledging that greater concentration would be essential as Al Hudaiba advanced into stronger company. Aalto produced another memorable Newmarket performance by coming from near the rear to claim the Bunbury Cup for the second time in three years, having also been narrowly beaten in the historic handicap the previous season. Elsewhere on Super Saturday, Raammee won York's John Smith's Cup and Zeus Olympios continued his progression in the Summer Mile at Ascot, but the defining performance belonged to Comanche Brave and a young rider whose championship challenge continues to gather force.
Bletchingly is Next for Cliff’s Edge Sprinter
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
Fortune may have lent a hand at Caulfield, but there was no disguising the merit in Winnasedge’s (Cliff’s Edge) finest performance as the Nick Ryan-trained sprinter claimed Saturday’s Gr3 Sir John Monash Stakes over 1100 metres. Returning to the same course and distance after his June 27 success, according to justhorseracing.com.au, the well-supported $4.40 favourite was again suited by the way the track played, although this time he had to overcome a wide draw before prevailing by a long neck under Luke Currie. Bellatrix Star ($11) finished strongly for second, with Sir Now ($13) only a short-head farther back in third. Ryan acknowledged circumstances had fallen kindly for his charge on consecutive occasions, noting that an inside alley had helped at his previous start before the wider gate worked in his favour this time, but he was equally adamant the victory reflected genuine quality. “The stars aligned a little bit but he’s a good horse and got the job done, but he’s always been a good little horse,” Ryan said. The trainer pointed to Winnasedge’s placing in the Red Anchor Stakes at three and his sound effort in the Tobin Bronze Stakes in Adelaide as evidence he had long possessed the ability to compete at this level, making his weight-for-age success especially satisfying. Currie had partnered the gelding in both of those earlier performances and reunited with him for the first time since Morphettville in April last year, with availability deciding the booking after Ben Allen, successful aboard Winnasedge at his previous outing, left for Europe as Currie returned from America. Ryan said the pair’s long friendship added another layer to the occasion, while praising Currie for reading the race and executing the plan in keeping with the prevailing pattern. Attention is now likely to turn to the Gr3 Bletchingly Stakes over 1200 metres at Caulfield on July 25, a target Ryan believes should suit a sprinter who was fourth-up on Saturday and still holds a fitness advantage. The extra 100 metres is not expected to pose any difficulty, leaving another Stakes assignment at his favourite circuit as the obvious next step. Winnasedge is by Cliff’s Edge who stands at Bombora Downs on the Mornington Peninsula. By four-time European Group 1-winning miler Canford Cliffs, tenacious Cliff’s Edge won the Gr2 Alister Clark Stakes and Gr2 Crystal Mile, and added another five Group placings during his careeer – three at Group 2 level. He will stand the 2026 season for $6,600 in GST.
New Coeur Volante Owners Sweep Clean
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
A sustained resurgence under new ownership gathered further force at Caulfield on Saturday when Coeur Volante completed a hat-trick of victories and led home a New Zealand-bred quinella for Lindsay Park in the $150,000 Sportsbet Fixed Odds Exotics Handicap over 1600m, reports NZ Racing Desk. The Proisir mare changed hands for $500,000 through the 2025 Inglis Digital Spring Boutique Online Sale in November, with Anthony Thompson's Widden Stud Australia and Julia Ritchie's Bangaloe Stud combining to secure her from a syndicate headed by Rupert Legh. Already a proven stakes performer, Coeur Volante had won the Gr2 Thousand Guineas Prelude, Gr3 Scarborough Stakes and Gr3 Mannerism Stakes for her previous owners, while also finishing fourth in the Gr1 Thousand Guineas, but her latest preparation has added another compelling layer to her record. Retained in the care of Ben, Will and JD Hayes, she resumed with a third placing in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes at Caulfield on May 30 before recording consecutive victories at Sandown and Caulfield. A rise to 60.5kg provided a fresh challenge on Saturday, although apprentice Jackson Radley reduced that burden to 58.5kg with his claim. Coeur Volante settled sixth, racing three wide with cover, before Radley eased her into clear air approaching the home turn as Ten Commandments attempted to steal the race from the front. The leader continued to fight strongly nearer the inside, but Coeur Volante lengthened impressively down the centre of the track, with stablemate Rise At Dawn joining the chase to her inner. Both New Zealand-breds gradually overhauled Ten Commandments inside the final 50m, and although Rise At Dawn mounted a determined late challenge, Coeur Volante responded to edge out the Almanzor gelding. "She's a ripper and was very good again today," Radley said. "She raced a little bit keener today, but we were able to find a bit of cover, which helped. She did very well to put them away with a bit more weight on her back." The six-year-old has now won seven of her 20 starts and earned $842,540, including $263,250 since her purchase eight months ago. Will Hayes described her preparation as unbelievable and welcomed the reward for Thompson and Ritchie after they elected to return her to training. Her current condition may persuade the stable to target the early spring, with the Gr2 PB Lawrence Stakes over 1400m identified as a possible next objective. Hayes was also encouraged by Rise At Dawn's first-up performance, believing the gelding would improve significantly and have several suitable options ahead. Bred by Fairdale Stud, Coeur Volante is out of the Testa Rossa mare Shanina and was bought for NZ$90,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables from Prima Park's Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2022. Initially trained by the late Mike Moroney, she is a half-sister to stakes-placed Hasstobemagic and descends from the family of multiple Australian Gr2 winner Rose O' War and Gr1 AJC Oaks heroine Savana City.
Latoya Enhances Family Promise
Tuesday, 14th July 2026
A pedigree already associated with one of New Zealand's finest modern racemares produced another encouraging chapter at Ruakaka when Latoya, the full-sister to five-time Gr1 winner Legarto, made a successful debut for Ken and Bev Kelso, according to loveracing.nz. The two-year-old daughter of Proisir had created a favourable impression when winning an Avondale trial in June and started the $3.30 favourite over 1200m, although her supporters were made to endure an uncomfortable journey after Jasmine Fawcett was caught three wide throughout. Rather than attempt to force Latoya into cover or expend energy chasing a different position, Fawcett allowed the filly to settle where she was comfortable and gradually improved around the field approaching the home turn. Latoya ranged to the front soon after straightening, moved past pacemaker Fraudster and then responded when the closing runners threatened, holding a margin just short of a length at the finish with something in reserve. Watching from their Matamata home, the Kelsos experienced a moment of concern as the challengers began to gather, but Latoya regained her focus when asked and completed the assignment with the composure of a more experienced horse. Ken Kelso admitted he had been surprised by the filly's relatively short price given her wide draw and lack of race experience, although her work and professional attitude had provided the stable with confidence. "Her work had been good and she really is a little professional," he said. The immediate plan is to assess how Latoya recovers before giving her a short break and preparing her for better fillies' races during the spring. Fawcett had expected a competitive performance after the trial and was particularly pleased by how well Latoya relaxed despite covering additional ground. "She jumped really well and I'd thought I'd sit where I was rather than use her up or pull her back to find a position," she said. "She relaxed beautifully there and she had the ability to get the job done." Latoya was bred and is raced by Warwick Jeffries and is the final foal from the Towkay mare Geordie Girl. Her illustrious sister Legarto earned NZ$3.6 million during a career highlighted by five Gr1 victories, headed by the 2023 Australian Guineas at Flemington. Stakes winners Kekova and Rapid Kay also appear within the wider family, reinforcing the depth behind the debut winner. Comparisons with Legarto will be unavoidable, but Latoya's opening performance supplied merit in its own right. She travelled wide, advanced without cover and found again when rivals appeared poised to challenge, displaying both tractability and determination. Those qualities, combined with her breeding and the patient approach of the Kelso stable, have earned her the opportunity to pursue black-type company when she returns in the spring.

Latoya winning on debut (pic: Therese Davis Race images)

Amarina Farm

Arrowfield Stud

Bell River Thoroughbreds

Clear Mountain Fairview

Lime Country Thoroughbreds

2025 BTR Stud Stallions

BTP STUD STALLIONS

Sire
A Lot Established
Acrobat Established
Al Maher Established
Alabama Express Established
All American Established
All Too Hard Established
Alpine Eagle Established
Alpine Edge 3rd Season
Anamoe 1st crop 2YOs
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Artie Schiller Established
Awesome Rock Established
Barbados Established
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Best Of Bordeaux Established
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Delaware Established
Denman Established
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Don Corleone 3rd Season
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Gold Standard Established
Graff Established
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Hallowed Crown Established
Harry Angel Established
Hawaii Five Oh 3rd Season
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Hellbent Established
Hitotsu 1st crop 2YOs
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I Am Immortal Established
I Am Invincible Established
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Invader Established
Jacquinot 1st crop 2YOs
Ka Ying Master 1st crop 2YOs
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Spirit Of Boom Established
Squamosa Established
St Mark's Basilica Established
Star Turn Established
Star Witness Established
Street Boss Established
Super One Established
Supido Established
Swear Established
Sweet Ride 3rd Season
Switzerland Established
The Autumn Sun Established
The Brothers War Established
Time To Reign Established
Too Darn Hot Established
Toorak Toff Established
Top Echelon Established
Toronado Established
Trapeze Artist Established
Tropicus 1st Season
Turffontein Established
Unite And Conquer Established
Universal Ruler Established
Vancouver Established
Vandeek Established
Victor Ludorum Established
Von Costa De Hero Established
Wandjina Established
Winning Rupert Established
Wooded Established
Wootton Bassett Established
Worthy Cause Established
Written By Established
Written Tycoon Established
Xtravagant Established
Your Song Established
Zousain Established
Zoustar Established

A Twitter List by BreedingRacing

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